As most of the world is working towards reversing the effects of climate change, some believe the Biden administration is taking three steps back by approving the Willow Project. Citizens are worried about the environmental effects this will have and are rioting against Biden’s decision.

The Willow Project is an oil drilling project facilitated by ConocoPhillips. It will take place on a plain in the North Slope of Alaska in the National Petroleum Reserve.

This decision on March 13 has become the center of debate over climate change and control in America. Over the last decade, climate activists have made a push for reducing fossil-fuel consumption. That is because fossil fuels release large amounts of carbon dioxide ( a greenhouse gas) into the atmosphere. These gasses cause global warming. 

Ava Bowles ’25, a student in  the Biomed Program, said  “ The Willow Project will have detrimental effects on the whole planet in the years to come. It is horrible that the people making these decisions are only thinking for themselves instead of the future generation”.

The ConocoPhillips administration has estimated that the Willow Project will emit 9.2 metric tons of carbon pollution, greenhouse gasses, into the atmosphere per year.  Put in other terms, this amount of carbon pollution is equivalent to adding 2 million gas-powered cars onto the road for the next 30 years. 

Not only has Biden approved the Willow Project, he also auctioned off 73 million acres of water in the Gulf of Mexico to offshore oil and gas drilling. This will double the amount of greenhouse gasses put into the atmosphere if it is to happen along with the Willow Project.

The Willow Project will provide more domestic energy for America and open up job opportunities for native Alaskans. However, the lasting effects it will have on the entire world may overpower these temporary victories.